Installation and Navigation of Visual Studio Code (VS Code) Instructions: Answer the following questions based on your understanding of the installation and navigation of Visual Studio Code (VS Code). Provide detailed explanations and examples where appropriate.

Questions:

1. Installation of VS Code:

   • Describe the steps to download and install Visual Studio Code on Windows 11 operating system. Include any prerequisites that might be needed.

     Download:

   • Open a web browser and go to the official Visual Studio Code website: Visual Studio Code.

   • Click on the "Download" button for Windows.

   Run the Installer:

   • Locate the downloaded installer file (e.g., VSCodeSetup-x64-1.XX.X.exe) and double-click to run it.

   Setup Wizard:

   • Follow the prompts in the setup wizard.
   • Accept the license agreement.
   • Choose the destination folder for installation (default is recommended).
   • Select additional tasks such as creating a desktop icon, adding VS Code to PATH, and registering VS Code as the default editor for supported file types.

   Complete Installation:

   • Click "Install" to begin the installation process.
   • Once the installation is complete, click "Finish" to launch Visual Studio Code.

Prerequisites:

• Windows 11 operating system.
• Administrative privileges to install software.
• Internet connection to download the installer.

2. First-time Setup:

   • After installing VS Code, what initial configurations and settings should be adjusted for an optimal coding environment? Mention any important settings or extensions.

   Initial Configurations and Settings:

   Theme:

   • Go to File > Preferences > Color Theme or use Ctrl+K Ctrl+T to select a preferred color theme.

Font Size:

• Navigate to File > Preferences > Settings and search for Editor: Font Size to adjust the font size.

Extensions:

• Install essential extensions via the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X). Common extensions include:
  • Prettier (Code formatter)
  • ESLint (JavaScript linter)
  • Live Server (Local development server with live reload)
  • Python (Python support)
  • GitLens (Git supercharged)

Workspace Settings:

• Create a workspace to save specific settings for projects by going to File > Add Folder to Workspace and then saving the workspace.

3. User Interface Overview:

   • Explain the main components of the VS Code user interface. Identify and describe the purpose of the Activity Bar, Side Bar, Editor Group, and Status Bar.

Activity Bar:

• Located on the far left, it allows access to different views such as Explorer, Search, Source Control, Run and Debug, and Extensions.

Side Bar:

• Positioned next to the Activity Bar, it shows views like the File Explorer, Search results, Source Control repositories, etc.

Editor Group:

• The main area where files are opened and edited. You can open multiple files in tabs and split the editor into multiple groups.

Status Bar:

• Located at the bottom of the window, it provides information about the current project, file encoding, line endings, and current Git branch.

4. Command Palette:

   • What is the Command Palette in VS Code, and how can it be accessed? Provide examples of common tasks that can be performed using the Command Palette.

• Accessed via Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux), it allows you to execute commands, search for files, and manage settings.
• Examples of common tasks:
  • >Preferences: Open Settings
  • >View: Toggle Terminal
  • >Git: Clone
  • >File: Save All

5. Extensions in VS Code:

   • Discuss the role of extensions in VS Code. How can users find, install, and manage extensions? Provide examples of essential extensions for web development.

   Role of Extensions:

• Extensions enhance the functionality of VS Code by adding features such as language support, debuggers, linters, themes, and more.

Finding, Installing, and Managing Extensions:

• Open the Extensions view using Ctrl+Shift+X.
• Search for the desired extension by name or functionality.
• Click the Install button for the chosen extension.
• Manage installed extensions through the Extensions view, where you can disable, uninstall, or configure them.

Essential Extensions for Web Development:

• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript:
  • Live Server
  • Prettier - Code formatter
  • ESLint
  • Path Intellisense
  • Bracket Pair Colorizer

6. Integrated Terminal:

   • Describe how to open and use the integrated terminal in VS Code. What are the advantages of using the integrated terminal compared to an external terminal?

Opening and Using the Integrated Terminal:

• Open the integrated terminal via Ctrl+`` (backtick) or View>Terminal`.
• Use it just like a standard terminal for running commands, scripts, and interacting with the system.

Advantages of Integrated Terminal:

• Directly accessible within the editor.
• Supports multiple terminals and split views.
• Synchronizes with the project workspace, making it easy to run scripts and commands in the correct context.

7. File and Folder Management:

   • Explain how to create, open, and manage files and folders in VS Code. How can users navigate between different files and directories efficiently? Creating, Opening, and Managing Files and Folders:

• Create:
  • Right-click in the Explorer view and select New File or New Folder.
  • Use Ctrl+N for a new file.
• Open:
  • Use File > Open File or Open Folder.
  • Drag and drop files/folders into the Explorer view.
• Navigate:
  • Use Ctrl+P to quickly open files by typing their names.
  • Use the breadcrumbs at the top of the editor to navigate directories.

8. Settings and Preferences:

   • Where can users find and customize settings in VS Code? Provide examples of how to change the theme, font size, and keybindings.

   Customizing Settings:

• Open settings via File > Preferences > Settings or use Ctrl+,.
• Examples of Customizations:
  • Theme: Change via Preferences: Color Theme in the Command Palette.
  • Font Size: Adjust Editor: Font Size in the settings.
  • Keybindings: Modify by going to File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.

9. Debugging in VS Code:

   • Outline the steps to set up and start debugging a simple program in VS Code. What are some key debugging features available in VS Code?

   Setting Up and Starting Debugging:

• Open the debug view using Ctrl+Shift+D.
• Click on the gear icon to configure the debugger by selecting the appropriate environment (e.g., Node.js, Python).
• Set breakpoints by clicking on the gutter next to the line numbers.
• Start debugging by clicking the play icon or pressing F5.

Key Debugging Features:

• Breakpoints, watch variables, call stack, and step-through code.
• Integrated console for interacting with the running application.

10. Using Source Control:

    • How can users integrate Git with VS Code for version control? Describe the process of initializing a repository, making commits, and pushing changes to GitHub.

    Integrating Git with VS Code:

• Initialize Repository:
  • Open the Source Control view using Ctrl+Shift+G.
  • Click on Initialize Repository.
• Making Commits:
  • Stage changes by clicking the + icon next to the files.
  • Write a commit message in the input box and click the checkmark to commit.
• Pushing Changes to GitHub:
  • Add the remote repository URL using the terminal: git remote add origin <URL>.
  • Push the changes using git push -u origin main.

Submission Guidelines:

• Your answers should be well-structured, concise, and to the point.
• Provide screenshots or step-by-step instructions where applicable.
• Cite any references or sources you use in your answers.
• Submit your completed assignment by 1st July